06-07-2025
Surprising Truth About the Scorpions Creeping Into Your Home
As temperatures soar across much of the U.S., one creature is crawling into the spotlight, and sometimes, into homes. Scorpions, the desert-dwelling arachnids armed with pincers and venomous tails, are showing up more frequently in residential areas. But experts say the fear might be overblown.
While they look like something straight out of a horror movie, most scorpions in the U.S. aren't dangerous to humans. According to Jacob Gorneau, a researcher at the California Academy of Sciences, these creatures are shy predators that typically sting only when threatened, usually by accident, USA Today reported.
'They're very unwilling to strike unless they feel like their life is in danger,' Gorneau said.
Scorpions are most often associated with the desert Southwest—Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada, Texas—but they've also been spotted as far north as Virginia on the East Coast and southern Canada on the West.
And while some scorpions can handle hot, tropical environments, Gorneau explained that many are surprisingly adaptable. 'Even in places where it snows, they'll burrow deep enough to create a microenvironment that suits them,' he said.
What's driving them into homes? Heat. Extreme temperatures push scorpions to seek cooler, shaded spaces, like basements, bathrooms, or anywhere they can sneak in through pipes, cracks, or under doors. They're also on the hunt for food and moisture, which makes homes an accidental oasis.
Though there are nearly 3,000 known species of scorpions, only one in the U.S., the Arizona bark scorpion, is considered truly dangerous. The rest? Their stings usually hurt about as much as a bee sting, if that.
Still, it's not exactly comforting to find one in your shoe. Prevention tips include sealing entry points, clearing clutter, and keeping your yard trimmed. And if you do come face to face with a scorpion, know that it's probably more afraid of you.
'They've been around for hundreds of millions of years,' Gorneau said. 'They haven't changed much because they haven't had to. Their bodies and habits just work.'
So before you reach for the nearest shoe, remember: the surprising truth is that these creepy crawlers are more Goldilocks than Truth About the Scorpions Creeping Into Your Home first appeared on Men's Journal on Jul 5, 2025
